Pediatric Capacity and Consent: What’s legal and what’s right?
Adam Rapoport, MD, FRCPC, MHSc, Associate Staff, Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children and Pediatric Palliative Care Consultant, Max and Beatrice Wolfe Children’s Centre, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Mount Sinai Hospital
with additional commentary by:
Maria McDonald, BComm, LLB, MHSc, Bioethicist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab
22 September 2010, 3:10 – 4:30 pm
NOTE NEW ADDRESS: Joint Centre for Bioethics,
155 College St., 7th Floor
Turn right off elevator and enter through Suite 754
Abstract: Infants and young children lack the developmental capacity to make medical decisions owing to an inability to fully appreciate the consequences of their choices. As such, parents or other recognized legal guardians are charged with this responsibility. Yet, this widely accepted arrangement generally becomes less relevant for the older child or adolescent. How should clinicians and parents approach the developing autonomy of these pediatric patients? Is it possible for a child’s wish to override the decisions of his/her parents? What about over matters of “life and death”? This presentation will explore these and other challenges of providing medical care to mature minors.
Objectives: Explore the ethical issues involved in pediatric capacity and consent; review the legal positions; provide pathways for assistance for future ethical/legal issues
The University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics Seminar Series is an accredited continuing education activity under CFPC and RCPSC programs
Hi Jonathan -- Did you hear this? I'm sorry I missed it. I find it interesting that there is no longer a specific cut-off for age of consent. It would have been interesting to hear some of the cases/examples where this has been a challenge at SickKids/Bloorview. lk
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